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Israelis are hit by new wave of rockets fired from Lebanon
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor14.01.09
ISRAEL was today hit by rocket attacks from Lebanon. At least three Katyusha rockets landed in northern Israel, prompting residents to flee to bomb shelters, although there were no reported injuries.
In return, Israel fired eight rockets into southern Lebanon in what it said was a "pinpointed" strike aimed at the source of the rocket fire.
The clashes, which follow a similar exchange of fire last week, will raise renewed fears that the 19-day-old conflict in Gaza could spread to Israel's border with Lebanon in what would be a serious escalation of the fighting.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for today's rocket fire, although Hezbollah, the militant organisation which fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006, denied being behind last week's attacks. It is likely that the rockets were fired by Palestinian militants sheltering in Lebanon, which would reduce the likelihood of a serious conflagration.
In Gaza City, Hamas militants and Israeli troops fought hand to hand today. The clashes occurred in the suburbs as Israel's troops continued to push towards the city centre.
The ground offensive, which came as doctors warned of severe malnutrition across Gaza, was backed up by about 60 new air strikes by Israeli warplanes and renewed shelling from gunboats.
In return, at least three rockets were reported to have hit Israel today to add to the total of 25 which were launched by Palestinian militants yesterday.
At least five Israeli soldiers were injured in the clashes, while the overall Palestinian death toll is now approaching 1,000, including several hundred children and a substantial number of women. Israel says that 10 of its soldiers and three civilians have died.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire, arrived in Egypt for talks with president Hosni Mubarak in a renewed bid to win support for a Franco-Egyptian peace plan upon which hopes of an end to the violence are pinned.
Mr Ban is also due to meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders and senior politicians in Syria, Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan, but is not scheduled to meet any representatives of Hamas.
Options thought to be under discussion are for Turkish troops to be deployed along Egypt's border with Gaza to prevent weapons smuggling by militants and the resolution of Israel's key demand that any peace plan must include measures that would prevent Hamas from rearming.
Mr Ban is also expected to press for new efforts to encourage the re-opening of border crossings into Gaza, one of Hamas's central demands, and to bolster the flow of humanitarian aid.
Incoming US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that the new American administration will not engage in negotiations with Hamas unless it first renounces violence and recognises the right of Israel to exist.
Reader views (3)
Jon Kent is talking rot - yes, Hamas was democratically elected but then threw their political opponents off rooftops in an armed coup and then declared war on Israel. Gaza is reaping what it has sowed
- Ces, Israel
So Obama's administration has got off to a predictable start-Clinton says she will not talk to Hamas-the ELECTED party of Gaza. Until the US starts talking to it's opponents, rather than adopting the 'let's nuke 'em' attitude, no progress will be made in the middle-east.
- Jon Kent, Hertford. UK
Presumably the Residents in Lebanon know what to expect?
- Harvey Lawrence, London UK
